Listen Celebrates 25 Years
2020 is Listen’s 25th anniversary! When Listen sold its first product in 1995, it was the first soundcard-based audio measurement system, and its competition was often human listeners. Now, with an installed base of well over 10,000 systems and the industry-wide adoption of both soundcard-based architecture and highly automated sequence-based measurement, Listen is still leading the way with new algorithms and product development to meet the changing needs of the marketplace. In this article, reprinted from Loudspeaker Industry Sourcebook, Listen founder and president, Steve Temme, shares his story.
Listen, Inc.: 25 Years of Audio Measurement Evolution
Source: “25 Years of Audio Measurement: A Retrospective” by Steve Temme (President, Listen, Inc.)
Main Theme: This article provides a historical overview of Listen, Inc.’s 25-year journey, highlighting the company’s adaptation and innovation in the face of rapid technological advancements in the audio industry.
Key Ideas and Facts:
1. The Genesis of SoundCheck:
- In 1995, Steve Temme envisioned a software-based audio test system that was faster, more flexible, and cost-effective than the prevalent hardware-based systems.
- This vision led to the creation of SoundCheck, a revolutionary system built on the National Instruments LabVIEW platform, enabling test configuration through a user-friendly point-and-click interface.
2. Adapting to a Changing Audio Landscape
- Listen, Inc. demonstrated remarkable adaptability, constantly evolving SoundCheck to meet the demands of new audio devices and technologies.
- The company successfully navigated major shifts, including the rise of cellphones, MP3 players, smartphones, headphones, MEMS microphones, and voice-activated devices.
3. Key Innovations and Solutions
- Open-loop Testing: Developed to address challenges in measuring devices with asynchronous input and output, particularly crucial for MP3 players and smartphones.
- Multichannel Testing: Expanded SoundCheck’s capabilities to test multiple channels simultaneously, essential for MEMS microphone arrays and other multichannel applications.
- Bluetooth Testing: Partnered with Portland Tool and Die to offer Bluetooth interfaces integrated with SoundCheck, enabling comprehensive Bluetooth device testing.
- Voice Recognition Testing: Leveraged existing SoundCheck functionalities and developed new algorithms for testing voice-activated devices, including cloud-based test signal storage and ETSI-standard background noise generation.
- Hardware products: Audio interfaces specifically designed for production line audio test simplifies testing and reduces errors.
4. Looking Ahead
- Temme anticipates continued innovation in audio, driven by trends like voice control, remote work, and the pursuit of better sound quality.
- He emphasizes the importance of correlating measurements with human perception and investing in algorithms that accurately reflect the human listening experience.
Quotes:
- “In today’s world of software and industrial automation, it seems strange to recall that less than 25 years ago, I was trying to convince people that software could be cheaper and more reliable than human labor!” – Steve Temme
- “No doubt we will also see whole new classes of devices that haven’t been conceived yet, which will present new testing challenges.” – Steve Temme
Conclusion:
Listen, Inc.’s 25-year journey exemplifies successful adaptation and innovation within a rapidly evolving technological landscape. The company’s commitment to developing flexible, user-friendly, and cutting-edge audio test solutions has solidified its position as a leader in the industry. The briefing document provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of the company’s key milestones, challenges overcome, and vision for the future.
